15 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in New York
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 4
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 1
If you are a high school student in New York interested in diving deep into a field or topic, a summer research program is worth considering.
Research programs provide a great window into college-level learning and research, often with exposure to labs, expert mentorship, and real-world challenges to help you explore a topic in detail. As a participant, you will gain practical research experience and soft skills like collaboration, problem-solving, and communication, while getting a firsthand glimpse into college life and STEM careers.
Unlike expensive pre-college or travel-based enrichment programs, many of these opportunities are low-cost or fully funded, making them accessible to students from all backgrounds. If you’re curious about what it’s like to work in a lab or tackle a scientific problem from scratch, a summer research program could be the right next step.
To help you get started, we have listed 15 summer research programs for high school students in New York. We have focused on rigorous, fully funded opportunities that combine deep academic learning with strong mentorship and professional exposure.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program format
Dates: June – August for summer cohorts; multiple cohorts in a year
Application deadline: May/June for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research program tailored for high school students looking to explore a field of choice in detail. You can choose from various research areas, including engineering, chemistry, economics, international relations, computer science, and psychology. The program will pair you with a Ph.D. mentor to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you will have completed a research paper! You can find more details about the application, format options, and available research areas here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free, including meals, MTA fare, equipment, and all supplies
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a NYC public high school and are at least 16 years old
SNP is a two-week, fully funded neuroscience-based research experience for NYC public high school students hosted at Rockefeller University. You will attend interactive lectures, design original neuroscience experiments, read and present journal articles, and dissect a brain to explore the structure and function of the nervous system. You’ll work in small groups with mentors to gain experience in developing and investigating research questions. Site visits to university labs and core facilities are also part of the program, providing you with direct exposure to active neuroscience environments. The program combines in-class and lab-based learning, without any homework or grades.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Dates: Flexible scheduling based on your availability
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions with multiple start dates throughout the year
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 (accredited options require age 14+)
The Online Research Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct research with tutors from Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League universities. You will work with your tutor to explore a subject of your choice in depth and write an academic research paper. The program is offered in 1:1 and small group formats, and you can choose to receive college credit. The ORP is offered in over 20 subjects, including artificial intelligence, chemistry, psychology, economics, computer science, creative writing, philosophy, and more. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your tutor, an opportunity to publish your research, and an invitation to present at the Immerse Online Symposium. You can find more details about the application here.
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No participation fee + a stipend is offered; optional on-campus housing and meal costs: ~$2,860
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (11th grade) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and at least 16 years old when the program begins
The Simons Summer Research Program offers rising seniors the opportunity to conduct hands-on research alongside faculty mentors at Stony Brook University. You work in an active lab, contributing to a project while learning how to formulate research questions, analyze data, and present scientific findings. You will attend weekly faculty lectures, science workshops, and university lab tours to get further exposure to academic research. The program culminates in a formal poster symposium and a written research abstract, where you will publish and present your work. The experience can help you get some exposure to university-level research, mentorship, and independent inquiry.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to 40 students
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,500 tuition + optional housing with meal plan cost: $3,840
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with strong academic performance
NYU’s GSTEM is a six-week summer research program designed for high school students, particularly those from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM fields. You will be paired with a professor or researcher and undertake independent projects in areas such as biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics. A dedicated orientation week and planned social outings are key parts of this summer experience. Alongside lab work, the program includes guest lectures, scientific writing and presentation workshops, and weekly site visits to STEM organizations across New York City. The program culminates in a formal symposium where you will present your work to an audience of family, friends, and mentors.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by mentor availability
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Cost: $2,000
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; minimum age 15 by start date
HUSSRP is a four-week, on-campus research experience designed for high school students interested in exploring STEM fields. You will be matched with Hofstra science faculty and work on a lab-based project in your chosen area of interest. Before the research begins, you will attend a one-hour session introducing you to the program and laboratory safety protocol. During the program, you will attend weekly seminars and work independently on your research under the mentorship of faculty. You will return in early fall to present your research during a formal poster session.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 32 students accepted annually
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are 16+ by the start of the program
The SSRP at Rockefeller University is a seven-week, full-time research program that places high school students into collaborative lab teams mentored by scientists from the Tri-Institutional community (Rockefeller, MSK, WCMC). You will explore a central research theme, develop individual questions, conduct experiments, and present your findings in a final symposium. You will work in a team of 8–10 students and have access to three or more scientist-mentors in dedicated research labs. Weekly electives, lectures, and social events are part of the experience, offering scientific skill development and peer collaboration opportunities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 25 students in spring, 10 progress to summer
Location: City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost: Free; stipend of $1,575 available for summer participants
Dates: June 30 – August 7 (subject to change) + Spring courses (bi-weekly commitment): February 11 – May 22
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public school students in grades 10 and 11 meeting
The CCNY College Now STEM Research Academy offers New York City public school students the opportunity to develop foundational research skills through a structured two-phase experience. You will begin with a spring course focused on hands-on scientific thinking and lab-based learning. On completing the course, you have the chance to be selected for a competitive five-week summer research internship. During the summer, you will be matched with CUNY or CCNY faculty mentors to conduct research in real labs and present your findings at the American Museum of Natural History. The experience includes seminars, workshops, and the potential to earn a stipend for successful participation. You will engage in the complete research process, from hypothesis to presentation, while gaining exposure to professional academic environments.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact numbers aren’t available
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,000 stipend
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live and attend school in New York City
At ARISE, you will begin with four weeks of foundational workshops. Here, you will work on refining core research skills, learn lab safety protocols, and explore academic writing. After that, you will spend six weeks in one of 80+ labs, contributing to research under the guidance of mentors. You will gain roughly 120 hours of lab experience in the process. You will also find opportunities to collaborate with peers and sharpen soft skills like public speaking. At the end of the program, you will present your work at both NYU and the American Museum of Natural History.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12–15 students are accepted
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Dates: June – mid-August
Application deadline: Typically in May
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 live in New York and attend school in or around the Rockaway peninsula; preference given to those who attended Shore Corps in the fall and spring
The RISE Environmentor program is a mentorship-based opportunity to conduct environmental field research along the Rockaway shoreline and Jamaica Bay. Over the course of six weeks, you will work with scientists to design and develop an individual research project on environmental science topics like dune restoration, flood monitoring, or microplastic pollution. You will also spend time outside the lab, collecting samples, kayaking, and learning practical safety skills, such as CPR and water navigation. The program also offers exposure to the field of environmental science and public engagement through weekly workshops and community events. You will prepare a poster to share your research findings with others.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2%; 20 interns selected each year
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend + $1,200 stipend
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors living within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus with a minimum 3.5 GPA in science and U.S. work authorization; must be 14+ by program start
The Summer Student Program offers high school juniors eight-week biomedical or computational research internships. You will work in one of MSK’s research labs on independent, mentored projects aligned with real-world cancer research initiatives. Throughout the program, you will attend lab meetings, develop technical research skills, and contribute to ongoing scientific projects. You will also engage in structured sessions on translational medicine, career paths, and professional development. The experience culminates in a formal poster session where you will present your research findings.
Acceptance rate: Less than 15%
Location: Multiple U.S. universities and labs, including in NY
Stipend: An educational stipend is offered; exact details not specified
Dates: 6–10 weeks in the May–August period; dates vary based on the opportunity
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements may vary for each internship opportunity
AEOP’s Internships are Army-sponsored, research-based opportunities for high school students interested in STEM fields. You will work in research labs under the guidance and supervision of a university researcher or a Department of Defence scientist. You will also get exposure to ongoing research that is working on solving the nation’s challenges. You may assist researchers with tasks like data collection, analysis, experimentation, and comparison of data sets. During the program, you will also participate in workshops, online tutorials, webinars, and learning materials to develop professional skills and become better equipped for future STEM academics.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size not specified
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free; limited subsistence stipends available based on qualifications
Dates: June 26 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors residing and enrolled in schools in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua counties; applicants must be at least 15 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
SURE-CAN is a six-week summer research program in New York that offers high school juniors a hands-on introduction to cancer science and biomedical research. The program combines laboratory experience, lectures, professional development workshops, and mentorship. You will work with researchers in dry labs or wet labs, exploring topics in cancer biology, genomics, imaging, AI applications, and translational medicine. The experience culminates in a formal poster symposium where you will present your findings. Along the way, you will gain exposure to statistical reasoning, research ethics, and scientific communication.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size not published.
Location: Multiple U.S. Air Force bases, including Rome Laboratory, Rome, NY
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend of approx. $501.60–$805.60/week
Dates: A minimum of eight weeks in the summer; exact dates vary
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, ages 16+ (18+ for some sites), enrolled in school during the spring prior to the internship
The AFRL Scholars Program offers high school students the opportunity to engage in advanced research at U.S. Air Force bases alongside professional scientists and engineers. You will work on real-world STEM projects ranging from spacecraft autonomy to optical physics, tailored to your academic level in facilities usually reserved for government and military research. As an intern, you will contribute to ongoing research, work with mentors, write technical reports, and present your findings at poster sessions. You will also gain experience navigating a formal scientific environment, including security protocols and mentor-led collaborations.
Cohort size: ~25
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $850 + a $40 application fee; no stipend; fee waivers available
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred
This virtual program is designed for high school students interested in learning about AI in the context of healthcare innovation. As an intern, you will explore how AI is used to address challenges in medicine and healthcare and work on addressing a real medical problem with the assistance of AI tools. You will work with a team on research projects and engage in social activities, virtual group work sessions, and career-oriented sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will work under the guidance of researchers and Stanford students. You may also have the opportunity to access an extended research internship once the program concludes.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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